Friday, October 18th Pt. 23
“I haven’t found any alphas currently ruling that have had this classification but I found close to fifty packs on the east coast where an alpha or beta that was being brutally abused, challenged the ruling alpha and won the duel. All of these challenges happened in a forty year time frame from the early 1940’s to the early 1980’s. When the council visited each pack the ruling alpha was tested after telling his story and each one was granted the special status of being a protector.
While these alphas still ruled with an iron fist it was only because of the abundance of abuse and rape that these alphas felt it was necessary to continue the practice of physical punishment. Once the roots of progress started to be seen the alpha often calmed down and started intense reeducation programs to help parents who relied heavily upon abuse to parent in a more effective and respectful manner. Those who suffered the abuse received therapy so they could heal and learn what was normal.
Although the need for such protectors has diminished greatly making them the rarest of the special wolves, the information that I was able to find from the 1940s, when they were the most prevalent was as enlightening as it was saddening.”
“What has happened to me to make you think I’m a protector?” Cole pants out heavily.
“It’s not what little you have told me has happened to you that makes me believe. It’s what you have shown and what you’re able to do that makes me believe.”
“What have I done?” He speaks nearly in a whisper as if he’s done something wrong.
“While you were at my pack you ran into a dangerous situation with my son, Lucas. I had given you the care of my youngest child, Madilyn and Lucas, for reasons I only recently understand, attacked you for having her. Even though you were already significantly injured you sacrificed yourself to prevent her from getting hurt. When you were able to flee the situation you grabbed her and ran to the pack house, running into me in the process. It took a lot for you to stay with me as Lucas was still a very real threat to you and her but you did manage to follow the command.
When Lucas burst through the door after you his calm demeanor, we found, was against his will. You had unknowingly produced a protection aura which helped me gain control of Lucas until we could get the two of you properly separated.
During my research I found that protection auras do not occur in unmated, unmarked males unless they have an illegitimate child in their full time care or they are the pack’s coronated alpha.”
“We noticed that when we found out that Clayton was being abused. He produced a protection aura when both of them thought they were in trouble. He was trying to protect Clay the only way he knew how after being heavily sedated for the majority of the day.” Cassius explains what he’s experienced.
“It didn’t protect him. You were still able to take him from me.” He laments.
“We felt your aura, Cole. It didn’t phase us because we had no intention of hurting Clay. I never told you, but Braysen actually complained about that aura when he was explaining to the council what was going on with the pups. First thing they asked was how he felt it was acceptable to allow a stranger to take the pup and not be concerned enough to follow him. He claimed that the aura made him disoriented and weak. That it caused him to black out for several minutes and when he woke you were gone.”
“I’m sorry.” Cole apologizes.
“Don’t be.” Cass shakes his head. “This pack is better now that Deven has stepped into the beta role. Thank you.”
He looks at Cassius suddenly, it’s obvious he wasn’t expecting a compliment.
“Another commonality among the wolves that received protector status was three-quarters of them suffered severe abuse from a very early age causing them to retain the navy blue eyes that they were born with.”
I pause as I get into the deeper aspects of the creation of protection wolves.
“Navy?” Cole questions as I slowly nod.
“It took doctors a long time to figure out what made wolves retain pup blue eyes.”
I continue slowly in the hopes I can draw him into asking the questions that, so far, no one has been willing to answer.
“When are they supposed to change?” His voice is tense as if he’s afraid to know the answer.
“Humans and wolves alike are born with navy eyes. Wolf pups start changing to their adult eye color around eight weeks. Humans start to change at six months. Werewolves change, at the earliest, around four years old.”
“What does it mean when they don’t change?”
“Doctors have found that a werewolf’s eye color changes when their physical and emotional needs are properly met. When a child is neglected and abused before they change it will delay the change. Most abusive situations will be reported to the council at an early enough age that the wolf’s eyes will still change even if it’s after six years old but if the child is not removed from the abusive environment by the age of twelve they become permanent.”
“That’s what Cassius meant when he said I’ve walked through hell. My navy eyes. They mean I’ve been abused my entire life.”
He whispers with a slight whine.
“Have I ever known love?”
Tears are in his eyes as the realization of what it means hits him.
“I don’t know. My best guess, based on what little you were willing to share, your visit to my pack was the first time you knew safety and peace. Where you didn’t need to fight to care for your basic needs. At least it was once I got Lucas under proper control.”
“It’s the reason my behavior is so strange compared to everyone else. My fear of being bad. My fear of hurting others. The hospital. The food. It changed everything.”
His tears are streaming fast as he rants. I knew this part would be devastating but Julie emphasized that he needs to know.
“I’m sorry Cole. I swear I tried to get to you before you returned. As soon as you changed your mind I tried everything, pursued every channel I thought could possibly help you. The night I sent my delta, Anthony and your mate, Jessa to come get you, your brother kidnapped you before Dr. Moore could get you to a safe location. He heard your pleas Cole and he did take them seriously. Kristoph just got to you first.” He shakes his head slowly.
“I don’t blame you.”
He speaks softly towards the floor. He closes his eyes. It’s obvious that he’s concentrating on what his wolf is telling him.
“Noooo.” He starts to whine as he brings his hands to his head. “Please Buddy. I can’t.”
He’s crying even harder as Buddy talks to him.
“Tell us what he’s saying.” I encourage him as I stand from my seat.
“You tell the truth. I tried to run from the hospital when I smelled him but I wasn’t fast enough. It was a three on one fight but his rant is causing something else. I don’t want to see it. I don’t want to feel it.”
He’s whining hard as he starts squeezing down on his hair. My attempts to snake my hands into his, separating his hands from the pain he causes himself, are futile as his grip is tight against his head.
“Sheila.” I look up as I speak her name only to find she’s already up and halfway to Cole’s seat.
“I think it’s best to get this little one to a proper bed.”
She smiles as she gathers Clay into her arms. He settles immediately into her neck as she gracefully carries him upstairs to his room.
“I’m sorry.” Cole whines. “I would never…”
“No Cole. We know you would never hurt Clay. My concern is your reaction to your wolf talking about the memories of Kristoph taking you from the hospital. I need you to keep talking. What are you seeing?”
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